US military has 'serious issues' with readiness to defend America: Jeremy Hunt
Veterans on Duty Chairman Jeremy Hunt argued the Pentagon is not preparing U.S. armed forces for conflicts with adversaries like China and Iran, but focusing on implementing woke initiatives on 'America Reports.'
An Army official confirmed to Fox News on Thursday all nine service members aboard the two Black Hawk helicopters that crashed Wednesday night in Trigg County, Kentucky – near Fort Campbell – have died.
Two HH60 Black Hawks of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) were conducting a training exercise at approximately 10 p.m. when they crashed, Brendalyn Carpenter-Player, the director of the Fort Campbell Public Affairs, told Fox News Digital.
"Today is a tough and tragic day for Kentucky. For Fort Campbell, for the 101st. The nine individuals we lost are children to God, they will be mourned and missed by their families, by their communities," Kentucky Gov. Andy Bashear said. "We are blessed to live in the freest country in the history of planet Earth. But we must remember that freedom relies on those who are willing to serve. Some of which paid the ultimate price."
"We're going to wrap our arms around these families. We're going to be there with them not just for the days, but the weeks and months and the years to come," he continued. "We're going to let them know they are loved, they are special. They'll allow us to carry some of their grief. We'll do that for as long as we can."
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Investigators arrive at the scene of the crash in Trigg County, Kentucky, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (WZTV)
Gov. Andy Beshear said multiple victims are expected to be deceased following a helicopter crash in Kentucky on March 29, 2023. (WKDZ Radio, Cadiz KY)
Brig. Gen. John Lucas, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Deputy Commander, said Thursday that a team specialized in aircraft safety, from Fort Rucker in Alabama, is expected to arrive today to start looking at "every possible contributing factor" that led to the crash.
Lucas said the helicopters went down in an open field next to a residential area.
Next of kin notification is still ongoing, he added.
The location of the crash in proximity to Fort Campbell in Kentucky. (Fox News)
"Last night, we lost nine service members in an accident during a routine training mission in Kentucky. My heart goes out to the families of these service members and to the members of the 101st Airborne Division who bravely and proudly serve our country each and every day," Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Thursday. "I’m saddened by this tragic loss, and I am working with Army leadership to make sure our troops and their families receive the care that they need in the wake of this accident."
Emergency personnel from multiple counties, including the East Golden Pond Fire Department, responded to the crash site between Bobby Light Road and Lancaster Road, local radio station WKDZ reported.
Multiple military helicopters crashed in Trigg County, Kentucky, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (WKDZ Radio, Cadiz KY)
Beshear previously wrote on Twitter to "Please pray for all those affected."
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Fort Campbell officials, Kentucky state police and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management are on the scene.
Investigators arrive at the scene of the crash in Trigg County, Kentucky, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (WZTV)
An individual about a half mile away from the crash told the local station he heard "two booms," WKDZ Radio reported.
Fox News' Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
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